THE INTERNAL NEST ARCHITECTURE AND THERMOREGULATION OF GENIOTRIGONA THORACICA (HYMENOPTERA: MELIPONINI)

Farisya M.S., Kumara T.K.

Abstract


The internal nest structure of stingless bee comprise of broods, honey
pots and pollen pots whereas thermoregulation has significant
ecological consequences to the stingless bee because the internal
heat generation enables bees to forage under colder surrounding
temperature. In this study, colonies (n=6) of Geniotrigona thoracica
were measured for its brood cell size, volume of honey, foraging
frequency, internal and external temperature, size of honey pot and
pollen pot monthly from July 2013 - September 2013. Results showed
the diameter and height of brood cells, honey pots and pollen pots
were 3.9 ± 0.72 mm, 6.1 ± 1.29 mm, 15.1 ± 4.02 mm, 24.4 ± 5.31
mm, 22.9 ± 5.37 mm and 16.25 ± 6.58 mm, respectively. The mean
honey production was 206.8 ± 25.27 ml. The mean internal and
external temperatures were 26.7 ± 0.15 ºC and 26.6 ± 0.36 ºC
respectively. The foraging frequencies for this species were at peak
from 10 a.m – 12 p.m.


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